HPSD Participating in Nutrition Pilot Project

HPSD Participating in Nutrition Pilot Project

Posted on 11/17/2016

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

High Prairie, Alberta – High Prairie School Division is pleased to be participating in the Government of Alberta’s nutrition pilot project. The Division was chosen along with 13 other jurisdictions to participate in the pilot, based on greatest need as determined by socio-economic status (SES) data from Statistics Canada. Each of the selected school authorities is receiving $250,000 in grant funding to assist with the pilot program. As part of the pilot, we were required to submit a detailed proposal to Alberta Education outlining our plans for the pilot. Our program will follow the Alberta Nutrition Guidelines for Children and Youth, which are designed to help schools and communities make healthy food readily available for young people, so that the healthy choice is an easy choice. While there are several opportunities to address health, wellness and nutrition throughout Alberta’s current curriculum, another important component of the pilot program is using the curriculum to help ensure students, teachers, parents, caregivers, and community members have the opportunity to learn more about the importance of reading food labels, choice and preparation of healthy foods, and access to Alberta’s food resources. Results of the pilot will the Government of Alberta make informed decisions about nutrition programs for schools across the province for the next school year.

High Prairie School Division has identified two schools, High Prairie Elementary School and École Routhier School, for the pilot project. Freson Bros. in High Prairie and New Horizon Co-op in Falher will be working with the schools in their respective communities to provide both universal and targeted nutritional supports for our students. The targeted supports will provide meals for approximately 100 students per day at each school. The universal supports will provide healthy snack options for an additional 40 students per day. HPSD will also be purchasing commercial kitchen equipment to facilitate and potentially expand the program. The two schools were chosen based on criteria as outlined by the pilot program. HPSD is pleased to have this opportunity to further our administrative procedure, Healthy School Communities, through the dedicated supports provided by this grant.